Taking the time to celebrate with your team can have a significant positive impact on team culture and retention. In addition to participating in celebrations on campus, engaging in campus wide events with your teams and individual colleagues can create a greater connection to your unit and the larger UI mission and operations.
Campus Wide Celebrations
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Human Rights Week
When: January
An official university holiday was designated in 1995, these initial events have grown into a campus and community celebration that includes lectures, discussions, and cultural arts presentations.
Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women
When: April
The CEAAW committee is an inclusive, cross-campus team that amplifies their collective voices at an annual event that spotlights female student scholarship winners as well as female faculty and staff doing inspirational work.
University of Iowa Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony
When: May
Many campus groups come together to celebrate the fantastic work University of Iowa faculty and staff have accomplished throughout the year at this campus wide award ceremony planned and sponsored by the President's Office.
Heritage and Identity Celebrations
In celebration of the histories and contributions of our diverse communities, the University of Iowa unifies around heritage months, days, and identity acknowledgments throughout the year. These recognitions are an opportunity for all members of the community to learn more about our stories, traditions, people, scholarship, history, and current experiences.
Please Note: In addition to these Campus Wide Celebrations, there may be more local opportunities available to celebrate with your team. Ask your local HR and Leadership teams for more information regarding area specific celebrations.
Campus Wide Events
Discover Your University
When: Spring, Summer, and Fall
The Discovery Your University program offers sponsored visits to various campus sites.
Health and Well-Being Fair
When: Fall
Create meaningful connections and boost your well-being at the UI Health and Well-Being Fair.
Homecoming at Iowa
When: Fall
Homecoming week brings together students, faculty, staff, future Hawkeyes, and alumni.
On Iowa!
When: Late Summer
Volunteer to welcome new first-year and transfer students to campus through On Iowa!
Staff Appreciation Weeks
There are many unique and diverse classifications and employee populations on campus. Consider celebrating these employee groups during "Appreciation Weeks/Days." Some units celebrate by creating unique Zoom backgrounds, posting appreciation posters, signing cards, and celebrating through a potluck or other food related gathering.
Appreciation Weeks- By Month
January 11, 2024: International Thank You Day
January 12, 2024: National Pharmacist Day
February 3, 2024: Women Physicians Day
February 17, 2024: National Random Acts of Kindness Day
1st Week in February: Pride in Foodservice Week
March: National Social Work Month
March 1, 2024: Employee Appreciation Day
March 3-9, 2024: Dental Assistants Recognition Week
March 6, 2024: Dentist Day
March 8, 2024: International Women's Day
1st Week in April: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
April 8-12, 2024: Student Employee Appreciation Week
2nd Week in April: National Library Week
April 14-20, 2024: Public Safety Telecommunications Week
April 24, 2024: Administrative Professionals Day
May 6-12, 2024: Nurses Week
June 6, 2024: National Higher Education Day
July 25, 2024: Intern Day
1st Wednesday in September: Global Talent Acquisition Day
3rd Friday in September: National Tradesmen Day
256th Day of the Year (Around 9/13): Day of the Programmer
September 17, 2024: IT Professionals Day
September 25, 2024: National Food Service Employees Day
September 25, 2024: National Research Administrator Day
September 26, 2024: HR Professional Appreciation Day
September 26, 2024: National Compliance Officer Day
October 2, 2024: National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day
October 16, 2024: National Boss' Day
October 28, 2024: National First Responders Day
November 10, 2024: Accounting Day
Please Note: This list is not exhaustive. Please contact oe-leader@uiowa.edu if you have appreciation days or weeks that can be added to this list to represent additional employee populations. As you are planning celebrations, consider worldwide Holy Days by going to the BMindful website and adding them to your calendar.